BILL NUMBER: ACR 133	CHAPTERED  08/14/00

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   104
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   AUGUST 14, 2000
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   AUGUST 10, 2000
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   JULY 6, 2000
	AMENDED IN SENATE   MAY 18, 2000

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Torlakson
   (Coauthor: Senator Karnette)

                        FEBRUARY 24, 2000

   Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 133--Relative to traffic
congestion.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 133, Torlakson.  Traffic congestion.
   This measure would request the Department of the California
Highway Patrol to organize a California Traffic Relief Panel,
consisting of the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol, as
Chair, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation, the Chair
of the Assembly Committee on Transportation, the Director of
Transportation, a representative of a Certified Unified Program
Agency selected by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol,
a representative of a congestion management agency selected by the
Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol, a representative of a
regional transportation planning agency selected by the Commissioner
of the California Highway Patrol, a representative of an air quality
management district selected by the Commissioner of the California
Highway Patrol, and, when conducting symposiums in northern
California, as specified, a representative of the California State
Automobile Association, and, when conducting symposiums in southern
California, as specified, a representative of the Automobile Club of
Southern California to conduct a series of townhall symposiums to
identify local traffic congestion problems and solutions.




   WHEREAS, California's citizens and businesses depend on an
adequate highway transportation system for mobility and economic
prosperity, and California is at the heart of Pacific Rim commerce
and North American Free Trade Area commerce, which are both dependent
on an adequate highway transportation system; and
   WHEREAS, Over the next 10 years, California's population is
expected to increase by 18 percent to a population of 40,000,000, the
consumption and production of goods is projected to grow by as much
as 25 percent, and the number of vehicle miles traveled will increase
by 27 percent; and
   WHEREAS, California currently has 1,472 congested freeway miles,
and California drivers spend in excess of 300,000 hours per day in
congestion, resulting in delay costs of $10,000,000 per day to the
traveling public and the goods movement industry; and
   WHEREAS, Traffic congestion creates pollution that impacts both
air and water quality, and California is home to four of the nation's
worst urban air quality areas; and
   WHEREAS, California's transportation system is coming under
increasing strain from a growing population, increased per capita
driving, and urban expansion, all of which result in growing traffic
congestion; and
   WHEREAS, The increasing congestion and the resulting loss of
mobility reduces both the quality of life for California's residents
and the economic health of the state; and
   WHEREAS, Solutions to traffic congestion cannot rely solely upon
additional roadway expansion projects, but will require
multidimensional solutions from many entities and the public for the
safe and most efficient use of California's highway system; now,
therefore, be it
   Resolved, by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That it is in the best interests of the people of
the State of California to solicit and consider a wide range of
information and solutions for traffic congestion relief from the
public, public officials, and interested private organizations, and
to identify and facilitate the implementation of viable traffic
congestion relief measures; and be it further
   Resolved, That a series of townhall symposiums be conducted in
areas of the state suffering from acute traffic congestion to
identify and facilitate the implementation of traffic congestion
reduction solutions; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Department of the California Highway Patrol
organize and administer the California Traffic Relief Panel,
consisting of the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol, who
shall serve as Chair, the Chair of the Senate Committee on
Transportation, the Chair of the Assembly Committee on
Transportation, the Director of Transportation, a representative of a
Certified Unified Program Agency selected by the Commissioner of the
California Highway Patrol, a representative of a congestion
management agency selected by the Commissioner of the California
Highway Patrol, a representative of a regional transportation
planning agency selected by the Commissioner of the California
Highway Patrol, a representative of an air quality management
district selected by the Commissioner of the California Highway
Patrol, and, when conducting symposiums in the San Francisco Bay
area, the County of Sacramento, and in other Central Valley
locations, a representative of the California State Automobile
Association, and, when conducting symposiums in the Counties of Los
Angeles, Orange, and San Diego and the Inland Empire, a
representative of the Automobile Club of Southern California to
conduct a series of townhall symposiums to identify local traffic
congestion problems and traffic congestion reduction solutions; and
be it further
   Resolved, That the functions of the California Traffic Relief
Panel may include, but need not be limited to, all of the following:

   (a) Conducting townhall symposiums in the San Francisco Bay area,
in the Counties of Sacramento, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego, in
the Central Valley, including, but not limited to, the City of
Fresno and its surroundings, and in the area containing the Cities of
Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ontario, which is commonly known as
the Inland Empire.
   (b) Inviting the participation of state and local officials,
private organizations, large private employers, and the public at
large.
   (c) Examining local traffic congestion problems and soliciting
both short-term and long-term solutions to the issuer.
   (d) Examining and seeking ways to mitigate traffic congestion
caused by accidents, natural disasters, hazardous material incidents,
and maintenance and construction projects.
   (e) Preparing a report of the symposium proceedings that will be
provided on or before July 1, 2001, to the Legislature, the Governor,
and agencies involved in traffic-related planning, project planning,
and traffic management; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol,
the Chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation, the Chair of
the Assembly Committee on Transportation, the Director of
Transportation, and other members serving on the California Traffic
Relief Panel pursuant to this measure.
